Folding machine



Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS 2,898,821

FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 21, 1956 e Sheets-Sheet 1 ICE-.1-

T den/59a A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE Aug. 11, 1959 Filed March 21,1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 WNW INVENTOR 446567, JW/EZDS Aug. 11, 1 959 A. 1SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 21, 1956 MNNQQ QWWUAug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 21, 1956 '6Sheets-Sheet 4 w lh nna/14 ICE-:1

Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS 2,898,821

FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 21, 1956 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. 4455427I? $608403 Au 11, 1959 A. R HIELDS 2,898,821

FOLDING MACHINE 6 Shets-Sheet 6 Filed March 21, 1956 v MS j INVENTOR. AL6 7' F 57/0540:

llit S cs FOLDING MACHINE Application March 21, 1956, Serial No. 572,933

' 9 Claims. (Cl. 9349) My present invention is a continuation-in-part ofmy copending application Serial No. 474,196, filed Decemher 9, 1954, andrelates to a folding machine of the type generally shown in my priorPatents Nos. 2,336,507, 2,583,712 and 2,622,493 wherein large sizecorrugated board or other paper blanks are to be passed from a stackthrough various folding elements and thereby prepared for furthermanufacturing operations.

More particularly my invention relates to a novel folding machine whichis especially adapted to fold largesize corrugated blanks so as toprepare them for entry into a stitching mechanism.

In the making of cartons it is necessary to first crease and slot theblanks in order to properly prepare them for the folding operation. Thefolding operation for ordinary square tubular boxes comprises bending ofthe two outer panels on the score lines so that the edges of the panelsmeet to form a collapsed tube. The tube is then ready for a tapingoperation.

In the event, however, that it is desired to join the edges of the outerpanels by a stitching rather than by a taping operation it is necessaryto fold the panels so that the outer edges overlap to an extentsufficient to accommodate the placing of the stitches.

Prior to the invention described and claimed in my copending applicationSerial No. 474,196 it had not been possible in an automatic operation tofold the box panels so as to prepare them for stitching and in fact, tostitch them as they leave the folding machine.

My present invention which is an improvement of the invention of my saidcopending application, in addition to overcoming these difficulties ofthe prior art, also provides .an improved cam-operated foldingmechanism,

rack-and-pinion means for readily adjusting the timing and positioningof the folding mechanism, means for more efiiciently stripping thefolded blanks from the slats carrying the same and means for readilyaccommodating shorter box blanks. These and the other improvementshereinafter referred to are all incorporated into the machine in amanner which permits the simplified and integrated driving means hereindescribed to assure that each stage of the machine is called intooperation at the proper instant.

The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will becomeapparent in the following description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my novel improved folding machine.

Figure 2 is a side view of the novel folding machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective of the mechanism for driving thevarious elements of my folding machine and of the means for coordinatingthe movement of the said elements.

Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of the mechanism for operatingthe longitudinally rockable means for completing the folding of theblank, viewed along the lines 44 in Figure 1 and looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a side view partly in cross-section taken along the lines 55of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a side view taken partly in cross-section of the novel meansfor shipping the folded blank and for coordinating its movement with theoperation of the stitcher.

Figure 7 is a View taken along the lines 77 of Figure 6 and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 7a is a View taken along the lines 7a-7a of Figure 1 and lookingin the direction of the arrows and further showing the operation of thestripping and holding down means of Figure 6.

Figure 7b is a perspective view of the stitching mechanism through whichthe folded blanks are fed.

Figure 8 is a top view of the folding mechanism showing the folding barsin more detail.

Figure 9 is a sideview of the folding mechanism shown in Figure 8, takenalong the lines 99 of Figure 8 and looking in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 1010 of Figure9 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 11-11 ofFigure 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now-to the Figures 1, 2 and 3 a stack of blanks 20 is placedon the bed of the stacking section 21 of the machine between the reargauge 23 and the front gauges 25. The bottom blank in the stack is fedtowards the right by the feed slats 27 through the space 34) below thefront gauge 25.

The space 30 is so adjusted that it is just high enough to permit one ofthe blanks to pass through while holding back the remainder of thestack. The blank passes through the space 30 over the bar 31 and ispushed by the feed slat 27 between the upper and lower feed rollers 35and 36, respectively. Feed rollers 35 and 36 engage the blank and carryit forward. I

The blanks are then fed between the upper and lower feed rollers 41 and42. Upper feed rollers 41 actually consist of two idler pressure rollers41a and 41b. The feed roller 42 on the underside is a single rollerextending entirely across the machine and is driven by a chain drive ina manner hereinafter described in more detail. 7

The blank pushed by rollers 42 beneath guide strip 296 continues itsforward motion until it hits stops 46 mounted on stop bars 47. While theblank is in this position with its forward edge against the two stops 46the creases or scores on which the fold is to take place are in registerwith the folding plates 39 and 40. This is, of course, obtained by anappropriate adjustmentof the machine, as hereinafter described, prior tothe beginning of a run and by appropriate stacking of the blanks.

While the blank is in the stop position against stop 46 the foldingplates 39 and 40 fold the blanks so that the panels overlap slightly.This means that one folding plate will act slightly out of phase withthe other. Briefly, the plates are operated through rack and pinion 507,508. It can further be seen from Figure 3 that the rack 507 is driven ina vertical oscillatory motion by being secured to cam follower 503which, in turn, is driven by cam 502 operated from shaft 48. A similardrive is used for rack and pinion sets.

After the folding operation is completed rotation of the stop operatingshaft 49 causes cam 50 to rotate and thereby drop the stop bars at theappropriate time. Note that the stop bars are provided with camfollowers 51.

The timing of this mechanism, of course, can be controlled by theappropriate design of the cams 50.

At this point the blanks are conveyed forward by slats 90 which areattached to the three chain conveying mechanism 130. Theslats then carrythe blank forward until the operation of the stripper shown in Figure 6removes the blank from the slats,

Referring now to Figure 3 in more detail it can be seen how the machineis driven and how the action of the driving mechanisms for the variouscomponents are coordinated. The machine is driven by motor 100. Belt 103coming off the fly wheel 102 of the motor engages pulley 104 whichcarries, on a common shaft 105, sprocket wheel 106. Sprocket 106 isconnected bychain 107 so as to drive the jack shaft. Sprocket 109receives chain 107 and drives the shaft. Sprocket 110 drives chain 112which in turn drives the lower second feed roll 42 through sprocket 114,the lower first feed roll 36 through the sprocket 115, and the upperfirst feed roll 35 through sprocket 116.

Note that the chain is wound around sprockets 115 and 116 so as to makeupper feed rolls 35 and 36 rotate in an opposite direction. That is, inorder to force the blank to the right the upper feed roll 35 must rotatecounterclockwise while the lower feed .roll 36 rotates clockwise.Adjusting idler 118 is also provided to make sure that the chain isproperly taut. Sprocket, 118 is adjustable in a horizontal direction asindicated by arrows 119. The third sprocket from the jack shaft 120carries chain 122. This chain passes over stationary idler 123 anddrives the folding box shaft 48 by means of sprocket 124. It then passesover an adjusting idler 125, stationary idler 126 and sprocket 147 whichserves to operate the stripping device in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

The sprocket 145 riding on shaft 111 is provided with holes 145a so asto either engage or disengage the clutch 147. A second sprocket 131 oncommon shaft 111 is provided with similar holes 131a so that it may alsoengage or disengage clutch 147. The clutch 147 is keyed to the shaft 111and drives sprocket wheel 131 or 145 only when it is engaged with themthrough holes 1310 and 145a. Otherwise, when not so engaged, thesesprocket wheels ride freely on the shaft 111. The position of the clutchmay be changed by the operator by means of an external handle 132. Chain129 which con nect sprocket 128 and 131 passes over the adjusting idler133. While chain 129' passes over idler 133 and connects sprockets 127and 145. The purpose of the clutch is to change the drive speed of shaft50' operating the stripping device depending on the length of boarddesired to be stitched.

Thus, the shaft 50' can be driven either from sprocket wheel 127 or fromsprocket wheel 128 each of which will be provided with sprockets so asto provide for a two speed arrangement. In other words, sprocket 128 maydrive shaft 50' through sprocket wheel 131 at a different rate than ifthe shaft were driven through sprockets 127 and 145. This provides asimple mechanism for changing the frequency of operation of the stitcherand thereby enabling the machine to feed shorter blanks into thestitcher at a more rapid rate when desired. Thus, a speed changingmechanism is provided which will cut the speed of the chain in half whenit is desired to fold shorter box blanks. In this case extra slats areplaced on the chain to accommodate the shorter blanks.

This clutch arrangement allows the operator adjusting hand crank 132 tothe appropriate position, depending on the number of feed slats 90 to beused onthe chain drive 130.

Referring again to chain 122, it can be seen that the cham passes overstationary idler 134, vertically adjustable idler 135, stationary idler136 and then rotates by means of sprocket Wheel 137 to operate thekicker slat 27 by means of shaft 26. The method of operating the 4kicker slat 27 is well known in the art and is shown in my prior PatentNos. 2,583,712 (Figure 4) and 2,622,493 (Figure 4).

The chain 122 passes over stationary idler 138 and then back to jackshaft 120. Thus, it can be seen that the operation of the kicker slat27, the folding mechanism, the stripping device and the drive for theslat carrying chains are all operated by a single driving chain andthereby readily coordinated.

Moreover, a single driving chain also drives both sets of feed rollersand this driving chain is driven from the common jack shaft 108 whichfurther coordinates the operation of this chain 112 with aforementioneddrive chain 122. Also coordinated with drive chain 122 is the drive forthe hold down bar 56, that is, chain 139. The chain operates fromseparate sprocket 142 which is readily secured to shaft 48 which isdriven by the chain drive 122. Chain 139 passes over idler 143 and theninto the hold down mechanism which will he described in more detail inconnection with the Figures 4 and 5. The triple chain carrying slats 90is also coordinated with the above mentioned drive systems as it isdriven from drive sprocket 195 and over idler sprockets 194 and 196 withidler sprocket 195 being keyed to shaft 42a which carries feed rollers42. Note also that the rotation of this shaft 48 operating the foldingmechanism and stopoperating shaft 49 is coordinated by providing chainconnection 199 between sprockets 197 and 198 on shafts 48 and 49,respectively.

The operation of the stop releasing mechanism hereinbefore described andof the folding mechanism may also be seen in a general manner fromFigure 3. Thus, upon the rotation of folding shaft 48 the folding plateswill operate from the vertical rack and pinion arrangement 507508 whichoperates from cam 502 by means of cam followers 503. This will bepointed out in more detail in the following description.

Referring now also to Figures 8 to 11 the folding plates 39 and 40 oneach side of the machine similarly driven by the oscillatory motion ofthe shafts on which they are respectively mounted.

From Figures 8 to 11 illustrating the mechanism for driving plate 40 itis seen that plate 40 is mounted on shaft 151 which is given anoscillatory motion in the manner hereinafter described.

The shaft 48 which makes one revolution per folding cycle carries flangemember 500 keyed thereto. The flange is longitudinally slidable withrespect to the shaft and is fastened by means of a cap screw 501 togrooved cam 502. The cam is counterbalanced by weighted element 530(seeFigure 9). Cam follower 503 rides in the groove 504 of cam 502 andso imparts a vertical oscillation to the slide 505 to which the follower503 is attached. The slide 505 slides in the groove in the frame 506 andholds rack 507 which in turn meshes with a pinion 508. The pinion 508 iskeyed to a shaft 509 on which are mounted two brackets 328 in keyedrelationship. A plate 40 is mounted on the machined faces of the twobrackets 328 and provided with means to fasten the folding plate 40which may be of any suitable size, andrare readily interchangeable.Usually these 'plates contain lightening holes 324.

As shaft 48 rotates through one revolution cam 502 which is fastened toflange member 500 by means of screw 501 is also rotated through onerevolution. Follower 503 which rides in groove 504 of cam 502 is: causedto move vertically and so imparts a vertical motion to the slide 505 andin turn is fastened to it.

The rack 507 in oscillating vertically causes the pinion 508 to performa corresponding rotational oscillation which in turn causes the shaft151 and associated arms 328 to move through a predetermined arc, the arcbeing slightly' under In this manner the panels of a corrugated box arecaused to be partially folded on their scorelines shown by thedottedlines in Figure 10.

Various adjustments are necessary in order to perform just the properfold under all conditions. The adjustment for cyclic time is made byloosening the screw 501 and adjusting its position in the slot 515. Thiscauses the cam 502 to take on a different angular position with respectto shaft 48 and thus adjust the cyclic time at which the foldingoperation occurs. Thus the time of the fold is varied with respect tothe other timed elements of the machine, i.e. the conveying chain, andthe box 56 which completes the fold by coming down from overhead. Therack 587 is fastened to the slide 505 by means of two cap screws 516 and517 which are located in slotted holes in the slide 505 and so allow fora relative vertical adjustment between the rack .and the slide. Theslide 505 is also provided at its upper end with a plate 518 andassociated screw 519 'which are so arranged that the relative adjustmentof the rack 567 with respect to the slide 505 can be very closely set byscrew adjustment and fixed in position. adjustment the angular positionof the arms 328 on shaft 151 can be adjusted in order to provide theproper folding position under different types of operation. By properfolding position, I am referring to the extent of the arcuate swing ofthe folding bars.

The above adjustment is to point out the beginning and end positions ofthe folding plate in the folding operation. The pinion 508 ismachined-off on its upper surface while the arms 328 are in retractedposition in order that the oncoming blank might be positioned as closeas possible to the pivoting center of the fold, namely the center ofshaft 509. This is important in obtaining the smoothest possible foldingaction.

Referring now to Figure the box blank is folded about a folding guidebar 520. Positioned just below bar 520 is a friction plate 521, abracket 522 fastened to plate 521 holds a pin 523 which in turn isengaged by a link 524. The link 524 at 'its lower end engages aneccentric member 525 which is keyed to shaft 526 so that it can be movedlaterally thereto. Shaft 526 is provided with a handle 527 and islocated in the frame 528. The purpose of the friction plate 521 is topro vide the necessary friction force to locate the blank accurately inthe folding section without in any way marring the blank. The frictionplate is adjusted relative to thefolding guide bar 520 by turning theknob 527 and thus the shaft 526, which in turn rotates the eccentricmember 525 and raises or lowers the link 524 and thus the bracket 522'and associated plate 521. This can be adjusted while the machine is inoperation in order to obtain the proper friction force at the operatingspeed of the machine. This provides friction from underneath the box sothat there is a slight rise of the runner on which the box lies therebyslowing it down to a small extent so that the box may be stoppedgradually and accurately in the folding section without marring thefront edge of the blank. A similar mechanism (handle 540 and shaft 541)provides a similar adjustment for folding plate 39 on the other side ofthe machine.

The folding plates when operated from my vertical rack and pinionmechanism will be capable of an angular rotation up to 170. Thisprovides a surer and a more complete and accurate fold. Moreover, thefolding plates of the present invention provide better support andguidance for the box panels than do the conventional folding bars.

By this means, also full control and timing of the openposition, thefolding operation and the reopening operation of the folding bars isobtained, particularly since shaft 48 as hereinafter described is drivenfrom the same source of power and, therefore, in synchronism with thefeeding device and the hold down device.

The folding mechanism is connected to the main frame of the machine bysupport 190 which is, in turn, supported by bars 191 and 192.

The folding mechanism hereinbefore referred to does By making this notcomplete the fold on the blanks but merely applies a partial foldthereto. The fold is completed by the longitudinally rockable arm 56which also maintains the fold until the stop 4'6 is depressed and theblank is conveyed to the stripping mechanism by a slat 90 riding onchain 130.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5 it can be seen that the motion of thishold down arm is coordinated with the drive mechanism hereinbeforedescribed and is so driven that the rearward portion indicated bynumeral 57 first touches the blank and then the arm is rocked forward soas to complete the folding on the front part of the blank. Chain 139driven off to shaft 142 passes over idler 143 and drives shaft 62. Theouter surface 63 of shaft 62 is geared and drives gear wheel 64 which inturn drives geared wheel 65.

The geared wheels 64 and 65 revolve respectively around shafts 68 and69. The shafts are connected by a tie bar 70 which is part of a frameindicated by dotted lines 70, 76, 77, 79. On each of the cranks 72, 73are pivots 91a, 91b and 92a, 92b. The pivots 92a and 92b are rigidlysecured to a point near the outer periphery of the geared wheels andtherefore follow the circular motion of the wheel. The pivots 91a and91b are secured to bars 94a and 94b which are forced up and down inreciprocating fashion on each rotation of the geared wheel. Bars 94a and94b and their extensions 84a and 84b are made of such a length that thelongitudinal hold down arm 56 presses against the blank at the pointwhere the said pivots reach the center line of the geared wheels.

The eccentric cranks 72 and 73 are operated out of phase so that thedownward motion of the arm 84a94a connected to the rear portion 57 ofthe hold down-bar 56 occurs before the downward motion of the arm 84b94bconnected to the front part of the hold down bar.

The reciprocating motion of the arms 94a and 94b is maintained in avertical plane by guide roller assemblies 95, 96 and 97. Because thechain drive 139 going to the drive shaft 62 is driven from shaft 48which also drives the folding mechanism (see Figure 3) the rockable baror arm 56 is coordinated with the motion of the folding mechanism sothat after the blank is partially folded to an extent that the outerlongitudinal edges thereof overlap the bar 56 descends and completes thefold by the rockable motion heretofore mentioned and acts as a hold downbar for the folded portion of the blank until such time as the stopmeans are removed and the blank is ready to be conveyed to the shippingmechanism.

Arms 94a and 94b are secured to their respective extensions 84a and 84bwhich carry springs 85 by means of the slidable mountings 87.

Safety device 88 consisting of spring biased rollers 89 shuts off thefoldingv mechanism in the event that the blanks should pile upunderneath the hold down bar 56. Such a pile up would increase theupward pressure on arms 84a and 84b which would in turn depress thewheels 89 thereby opening the safety switch 88.

The motion of the rocker arm or bar 56 is more clearly illustrated inFigure 4 wherein the solid lines show how the rocker arm appears as itfirst descends and hits the blank and the dotted lines show thesubsequent movement of the arm wherein it completes the fold on thefront end of the blank.

The entire assembly is supported on frame 99, which is secured to thebase of the folding machine. Support 99 is attached to brackets200a-201a. It can be seen from Figure 4 that bracket 200a also carriesthe jack shaft 108 and idler roller 118.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 in more detail, the blank after'beingfolded is raised from the slats as it rides on bar, or guide strip 296by an oscillatorystripping member 200 and the fold is held in place byhold down member 201. The co-action between the stripping member and thehold down member maintains the blank in its folded position so that itmay be fed directly to the stitcher.

The take off or stripping bar operates as follows. Sprockets 128 and12811 are driven from shaft 50 which isrotated by chain 122, drivessprockets 127 (see Figures 2 and 3). The shaft '50 carries cam 601. Thecam follower 602 riding in the camming surface 603 of the cam andthereby transmits an oscillatory motion to link 605. The link 605 ispivoted through shaft 207 to the mechanism which applies an oscillatoryrockable motion to the stripping bars 200. This rockable mechanismconsists of links 208 and 210 which are pivoted at 207, 211, and 212,213,.respectively. The pivots 211 and 213 rigidly secure the movablelinks to the stripping bar 200 while the pivots 207 and 212,respectively apply an oscillatory motion to the stripping bar causingoscillation for each 360 rotation of shaft 50'.

The oscillatory motion is vertical but it is directed at an angle awayfrom the direction of feed of the blank. Thus, the stripper blocks 610tend to both 'lift and hold the blank at the same time. The cam actionfurther causes blocks 610 to dwell in the raised position while theslats proceed forward and drop off slat supports 620. Since theoscillatory motion provided through shaft 50 is part of the drive systemfor the rest of the machine as seen in Figure 3, the stripping operationcan be readily coordinated with the movement of the blank as it comesfrom the folding operation.

The advantage of the cam operated stripping means herein described liesin the fact that the cam action allows the blank to be raised by blocks610 and held in this elevated position while the chain 612 carrying thefeed slats moves in a forward and downward direction. as shown in Figure6. As the slats are thus removed from the blank, the front edge of theblank supported by guide strip 296 and pulled by rolls 280 and 281 isfed through the open head of the stitcher. The block 610 which at thistime, supports the trailing edge of the blank is longitudinallyadjustable so as to accommodate blanks of varying length. This providesa simpler, more eflicient stripping operation in which the slat by itsdownward motion disengages itself from the trailing edge of the foldedblank, as the front edge of the blank is pulled through the stitcher.

The hold down bar 201 moves from a lower position 201 to an upperposition as shown by 201, as the blank is stripped off the rollers bythe dual stripping mechanism. In order to assure that the hold down baracts in cooperation with the stripper a link 312 is provided which ispivoted at 213 to the link 206 which provides the oscillatory strippermotion. The other end of link 312 is pivoted at pin 214 to arm 215 whichin turn is pivoted at 218 to member 220 which is slidably secured by pin332 to the hold down bar 201.

Thus, as the stripper bar moves up and to the right a similar motion isimparted to the hold down bar so that sufficient space is allowed forthe blank to pass between these two bars with the folded, or top, panelsbeing vertically spaced from the bottom panels. While at the same timethe fold in the blank is maintained. The passage of the blank betweenthe two bars'is more clearly seen in Figure 7a wherein the solid linesshow the position of the blank, hold down and stripper bars beforestripping and the dotted lines show the upward movement of theseelements after the blank has been stripped from the slats.

Roller 320 provides additional support for the blank as it passesbetween the straightening rolls 222. In connection with the hold downbar 201 note that pivots 230 and 232 in connection with piece 234 allowfor the movement of the other end of the hold down bar in a fashionsimilar to that described in connection with the pivots 218 and 332.Both pivots 332 and 232 are slid 8 ably mounted in a manner so as toallow a desired amount of vertical tolerance with respect to the motionof the hold down bar.

After-being strippedthe blank passes underneath safety device 240.Should the blanks pile up at this point the arm 240 will rise and pivotaround pin 245 so that it disconnects with the contacts 242 and therebyshuts off the machine.

Beyond the straightening roll is another safety device (not shown) whichwill shut oif the machine if the blanks pile up so as to extend abovethe level of the safety device striking the finger 250. The folded blankthen enters the stitcher 260 which is shown in perspective in Figure 7b.

Referring to Figure 7b the stitcher comprises an angularly shaped piece260 which separates the overlapping folds of the box blank and providesa base 272 against which the stitcher 271 can work. The stitches areinserted at a point indicated by numeral 273 and are usually of ametallic nature. Finally the stripped blank is pulled through thestitcher by rolls 280 and 281 and as it strikes target 284 is releasedfrom the stitcher.

The machine is so arranged in time that as soon as the stops 46 aredepressed by the action of the earns 50 slat mounted across the chainsmoves up and into engagement with the rear of the folded blank and movesthe blank beneath the hold down strip 295 which is adjustably supportedso that it extends just in front of the stops and up to the point wherethe stripping mechanism removes the blank from the slats. The front endof hold down strip 295 is curved upwardly so that panels which tend tospring up after beingfolded will be guided down again and their edgesbrought to a butting position. Also, provided is a guide strip 296 overwhich the blank is folded and which runs the full length of the folder.

As soon as the slats 90 on chains 130 engage the blank and move itforward through the machine the guide presses down on the arm betweenthe panels and prevents the folded blank for opening up.

Referring again to the top plan view in Figure 1, it can be seen thatthe straightening rolls 222 are mounted on stub shafts (not shown) andsupported on adjustable plates 302. The plates are adjusted so that theperipheries of the aligned rollers 222 on each side are spaced apart bya distance which is slightly less than the width of the folded blank.

The slats 90 force the blank between the rolls with the edges of theblank riding in the annular grooves on each side. Since the rolls arethus spaced slightly closer together than the width of the blank thecrease or fold is adjusted and spread vertically.

All members which engage the edges of the blanks are provided with nutswhich in turn are driven by screws all of which may be driven from acommon source on each side of the machine in order to adjust the machinefor different widths of blanks.

Figure 1 shows how all adjustments on one side of the machine may bedriven from a common through chains and sprockets (not shown). Thevarious adjusting screws appear in Figure 1 as elements 410415. Sincethe adjusting mechanism is not considered an essential part of myinvention it is not necessary to describe it herein in further detail.Attention is called, however, to the description of this type ofadjusting mechanism in my prior Patents Nos. 2,583,712 and 2,622,493.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection withpreferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of theprinciples of my invention within the scope of the description hereinare obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specificdisclosure herein, but only 'by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom fiat and scored sheets; said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and an intermediatesection between said side sections; said side sections being foldableabout said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; meansfor continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for folding over each of said side sections oversaid intermediate section while said blanks are halted so that saidsections overlap; said folding means comprising a pair of plates havingan oscillatory folding motion;

rack and pinion means for providing said folding motion;

pressure means for. completing the fold in said blanks; means for movingsaid blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded;cam-operated stripping means for removing the folded blank from theblank moving means, means for maintaining the fold in the strippedblank; said last recited means and said stripping means cooperating tomaintain the overlapping portions of said sections spaced from saidintermediate section, and means for feeding the said blanks through astitcher.

2. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about saidscore lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; stop membersmounted on said machine; means for continuously moving said blankssuccessively against said stop members in a position to be folded; meansfor folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are haltedso that said side sections overlap, said folding means comprising a pairof longitudinal plates rotatable about an axis parallel to the scorelines defining said longitudinally extending side sections; rack andpinion means for imparting the folding motion to said plates;longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in saidblanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position afterthe same have been folded; means engaging the underside of the foldedblank and elevating the folded blank for stripping the foldedblank fromthe blank moving means; including means for lowering said blank-movingmeans while the blanks are maintained in a raised position; means forholding down the stripped blank, and means for maintaining theoverlapping outer longitudinal edges of said blank in a spaced apartrelationship, as the blanks enter a stitching mechanism.

3. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and an intermediatesection between said side sections; said side sections being foldableabout said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; meansfor continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for successively folding over each of said sidesections while said blanks are halted so that said side sectionsoverlap, said folding means comprising a pair of longitudinal platesrotatable about an axis parallel to the score lines defining saidlongitudinally extending side sections, vertical rack and pinion meansfor providing the folding motion to said plates, longitudinally rockablepressure means for completing the fold in said blanks, a first means formoving said blanks from said folding position after the same have beenfolded; cam-operated means for raising the folded blank and the blankmoving means, and lowering said blank moving means while the blanks aremaintained in the raised position, pressure means for maintaining thefold in the blank; said pressure means and said first means cooperatingto maintain the overlapping outer longitudinal edges of said blankspaced from said intermediate section, means for maintaining the fold insaid blank and means for maintaining the overlap- 10 ping outerlongitudinal edges of said blank in a spaced apart relationship, as theblanks are fed into a stitcher.

4. In a folding machine for forming flat and collapsed tubular boxblanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair oflongitudinally extending side sections defined by score linesandfoldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement;means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a positionto be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks havereached such position; means for successively folding over each of saidside sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sectionsoverlap; said folding motion being imparted through rack and pinionmeans operated in coordination the movement of the blanks;longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in saidblanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position afterthe same have been folded, cam-operated means for stripping the foldedblank from the blank moving means, means operatively connected to thesaid stripping means for holding down the stripped blanks; said lastrecited means and said camoperated means each having oscillatory motion,in the same direction, imparted thereto.

5. In afolding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about saidscore lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means forcontinuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for successively folding over each of said sidesections to an angle of up to while said blanks are halted so that saidside sections overlap; said folding means comprising a pair of plateshaving an oscillatory folding motion; rack and pinion means forproviding said folding motion; longitudinally rockable pressure meansfor completing the fold in said blanks, means for moving said blanksfrom said folding position after the same have been folded; the saidpressure means having a forwardly rocking motion and being operativelycoordinated with the movement of the said blanks; and means forstripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, includingcam-operated blocks for raising the blanks and maintaining them in araised position while lowering the blank-moving means.

6. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and an intermediatesection between said side sections; said side sections being foldableabout said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; meansfor continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for successively folding over each of said sidesections to an angle of up to 170 while said blanks are halted so thatsaid side sections overlap; said folding means comprising a pair ofplates having an oscillatory folding motion; rack and pinion means forproviding said folding motion; rockable pressure means for completingthe fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from saidfoldingpositiouafter the same have been folded; the said pressure means havinga forwardly rocking motion and being operatively coordinated with themovement of the said blanks; and means for stripping the folded blankfrom the blank moving means, including cam-operated blocks for raisingthe blanks and maintaining them in a raised position while lowering theblankmoving means; means operatively connected to the said strippingmeans for holding down the stripped blanks; said last recited means andsaid stripping means cooperating to maintain the overlapping portions ofsaid sections spaced from said intermediate section, and means forfeeding the said blanks through a stitcher.

7. In a folding machinefor-forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, saidsheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said'score'lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means forcontinuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for successively folding over each of said sidesections while said blanks v are halted so that said side sectionsoverlap; said folding means comprising a pair of longitudinallyextending plates; means for imparting the folding motion to said platescomprising vertical rack and pinion means operable in coordination withthe movement of the blanks; means for adjusting the timing and angularrotation of the folding plates; longitudinally rockable pressure meansfor completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanksfrom said folding position after the same have been folded; saidpressure means being operated by two eccentrically mounted cranks whichrotate out of phase and thereby cause the arm of said pressure means tohit a backportion of the blank and rock forward so as to successivelycontact the more forward portions of the blank; cam-operated means forstripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, including meansfor lowering said blank-moving means while the blanks are maintained ina raised position by a longitudinally adjustable block; means forholding down the stripped blank, said last recited means and saidcam-operated means each having oscillatory motion, in the samedirection, imparted thereto, means for feeding the said blanks into astitcher, and common drive means for coordinating the movement of theblanks, the folding means, and the stripping means.

8. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about saidscore lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means forcontinuously moving said blanks successively into a positions to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; meansfor .successively folding over each of said sidesections to an angle of up to 170 While said blanks are halted so thatsaid side sections overlap; said folding means comprising a pair oflongitudinally extending .plates; means for imparting the folding motionto said plates comprising vertical rack and pinion'means operable incoordination with the movement of the blank; means for adjusting thetiming and angular rotation of the folding plates; longitudinallyrockable pressure means for completing the fold in said-blanks; 'meansfor moving said blanks from said folding position after the same havebeen folded; cam-operated means for stripping the folded blank from theblank moving means, including means for raising the blanks and loweringsaid blank-moving means while the blanks are maintained in a raisedposition, and being operatively connected to apparatus for holdingdown'the fold in said' blank so that-the stripping means and the holddown means move simultaneously in the same directions both horizontallyand vertically.

' 9. In la folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanksfrom fiat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinallyextending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about saidscore lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means forcontinuously moving said blanks successively into a position to befolded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reachedsuch position; means for successively folding over each of said sidesections while said blanks are halted so that said side sectionsoverlap; said folding means comprising a pair of'longitudinallyextending plates; means for imparting the folding motionto said plates comprising vertical rack and pinion means operable incoordination with the movement of the blanks; means for adjusting thetiming and angular rotation of the folding. plates; longitudinallyrockable pressure means for completing the fold in said .blanks; meansfor moving said blanks from said folding position after the same havebeen folded; cam-operated .means for stripping the folded blank from theblank moving means, including means for raising said blanks and loweringsaid blank-moving means while the blanks are maintained in a raisedposition, and being operatively connected to apparatus for holding downthe fold in the said blank so that the stripping means and the :holddown means move simultaneously in the same directions :both horizontallyand vertically, and common drive -means for coordinating the movement ofthe blank con- .veying means, folding means, stripping means and holddown means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,505,178 Wade et al. Aug. 19, 1924 1,757,730 McPike May 6, 19302,017,535 Hammer Oct. 15, 1935 2,113,052 Kemp Apr. 5, 1938

